2017 ScheduleAll times ET

2017 Schedule
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16h

Wilks on Panthers' defensive expectations

David Newton talks to Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks about the transition to defensive coordinator, veteran leadership and expectations of the Panthers defense.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers coach Ron Rivera on second-round pick Curtis Samuel increasing his workload in individual drills after missing most of training camp at Wofford College with a hamstring injury: "It's good to see him out there moving around. It's really about him working and getting himself back into football shape."

Cameron Wolfe ESPN 

Mike Mularkey said he anticipates DeMarco Murray playing Saturday vs Panthers but he will make a final decision closer to game day. Ron Rivera is undecided on whether Cam Newton will play. He didn't do much at practice today.

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Cameron Wolfe ESPN 

Cam Newton has been mostly a cheerleader during Titans-Panthers joint practice. He did some individual drills, but has been spending most of team drills working to the side and cheering his teammates on.

Cameron Wolfe ESPN 

OVERHEARD: "They got too many receivers for this (stuff) bro," gassed Panthers CB Captain Munnerlyn said after Taywan Taylor caught a deep ball on him during 1 on 1s. Shortly before that Harry Douglas caught this short pass on him.

Cameron Wolfe ESPN 

Rainy morning in Nashville, but Titans-Panthers practice scheduled to kick off in a little over an hour. Both coaches want no fights but with joint practices intensity will be high so we'll see.

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Rivera taking extra precautions with Cam (1:11)
Jeremy Brevard/USA TODAY Sports
2dDavid Newton

Davis, 34, extended by Panthers through 2018

Thomas Davis' new contract will keep him in Carolina through the 2018 season. "This extension solidifies me being here for the rest of my career, and I'm excited about that," the veteran said.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Thomas Davis' one-year extension with the Panthers is for $6,75 million with $2 million guaranteed in 2017, a league source confirmed.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

The Panthers on Tuesday gave 34-year-old Pro Bowl linebacker Thomas Davis a one-year extension. He is now signed through the 2018 season.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Overheard at camp: Panthers coach Ron Rivera on what wide receiver Damiere Byrd (5-9, 180) brings as a special teams player (returner/gunner): "His toughness. More than anything else his toughness. That kind of earmarks who he is. He's done some very good things. Very physical. He bounced up after big hits. That's something up catches your eye.'' Sounds like another former Panthers receiver, Steve Smith, who was about the same size as Byrd.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Rookie report of camp: Curtis Samuel, as mentioned in the injury report, did some work in individual drills after missing basically all of camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina with a hamstring injury. He'll need a lot of work to have a chance contribute in the September 10 opener at San Francisco. He's lost ground to first-round pick Christian McCaffrey and Russell Shepard as the slot receiver. But wide receivers coach Lance Taylor told me the team still has high hopes that Samuel can be a factor this season once healthy.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Best play of camp: This one to wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who went high over outside linebacker Shaq Thompson for a nice twisting catch on the sideline. The play was similar to the touchdown catch Benjamin made in last week's preseason opener against Houston. Like that catch, coach Ron Rivera said Benjamin is pretty much impossible to defend in those situations because of his height (6-5), leaping ability and physicality. "It's one of those things, unless you anticipate it . . . if you get your jump in you have a chance, but he's so long and so long-handed that once he grabs that ball it's tough to knock it out,'' he said.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Today's injury update: Quarterback Cam Newton increased his reps in team drills, throwing a few short passes. But unlike Sunday the 2015 NFL MVP was off with his timing. His first pass to tight end Greg Olsen was at the Pro Bowler's feet. He later threw another at the feet of wide receiver Devin Funchess. Second-round pick Curtis Samuel (hamstring) had a helmet today and went through some individual drills, a good sign. But the former Ohio State wide receiver still hasn't practiced since the first day of camp. Wide receiver Benton Bersin, who suffered a quad injury in last week's preseason opener, returned to full practice. No sign of defensive tackles Vernon Butler (knee) and Kyle Love (leg/ankle). Guard Amini Silatolu was back after missing a couple of days with an undisclosed injury.

Jim Dedmon/Icon Sportswire
2dDavid Newton

Newton won't do live drills against Titans

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is not expected to take part in live drills against the Titans during joint practices.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers coach Ron Rivera on Cam Newton practicing against Tennessee the next two days: "He won't do anything live against anybody but we're going to try to increase his individual work and try to work him up that way."

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David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was inconsistent with his timing today but as coach Ron Rivera said that's all part of the process of rehabbing the shoulder.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Cam Newton opens red zone drill from the 20 with nice pass over the middle to Curtis Shepard. Next pass not so nice for the Panthers quarterback. Wide and low.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton throwing in team drills now. First pass at the feet of Greg Olsen. But the most he has done since being shutdown 16 days ago.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Derek Anderson opens with the first team on the next series of team drills. Cam Newton watches on without a helmet and stretches with a band.

Team Stats

Passing Yards230.3Tied-21st
Rushing Yards113.410th
Points For23.115th
Points Against25.126th

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